The Actor, the Journeyman

Wanderlust...What a great way to describe the
pull the actor feels for the stage, the drive to
get in front of the camera.

When you get down to WHY you are compelled
to come back to the stage, to get back in front of
the camera yet again, it must be wanderlust.

Why? Why do we actors do what we do?

To connect. To make a difference.

That's why you act, right?

To connect, and hopefully -- in at least some small
way -- to enrich the lives of those you connect with

a n d

to enrich YourSelf

I'm not talking about the applause. Well, sure, that's
part of it, but that is not what is ultimately driving
you to perform. The applause is icing on the cake.

The reward is the connection, and the connection
can only come once you have done the work, and
the work is the Journey.

"An infant who has only his physical needs
met will soon succumb to a host of infirmities.
The emotional and psychological connection
to other humans is essential for development."*

That is a quote from Evan Balkan's book, Vanished!, a
book about "true and harrowing accounts of adventurers
who never came home."

It struck me as I was reading this book this morning
that actors are like travelers, adventurers, journeymen.

Mr. Balkan so eloquently describes the wanderlust that
strikes him, compels him to journey from the familiar
environs and comfortable routines of home.

"...I love nothing more than being [at home],
with the people I love. But to get back out, to
see the world...that remains essential."**

Essential, he says, because the reward of the journey
is a more complete self.

With a more complete self, you have more of
yourself to give to others, for it is giving in life
that is essential to your well-being.

The better actor, then, is one who more fully delves
into the journey and emerges from the experience
as a higher more evolved self.

This not only greatly benefits the audience, but you
also profit tremendously as well. You are more highly
evolved spiritually, perhaps; emotionally; even
physically in some cases, after the curtain comes
down, after the run is over.

The mediocre actor is one who is not willing to
take that journey.

The mediocre actor settles, and the process of acting
becomes routine. The aim for this actor is to memorize
the lines, say them in just the right way, hit all right marks,
and get the applause.

Empty.

It's not enough to do a play for the sake of doing. Not enough
to do the film just to be in a film.(If you continually feel
empty when each show closes, and you find yourself hurrying
on to the next audition, then it is time to realize you have no
real goal as far as your career is concerned. I'll address this
another time.)

The degree to which you grow and expand your capacity
to live and give is in direct proportion to the degree to
which you are willing to embark on the journey, to invest
in the experience; to invest in your Self.

The only reason to audition for the next
role, to take on the next project, is to
stretch your own boundaries,
to step outside your
comfort zone; to
grow.

As I tell my students and coaching clients, there are plenty
of mediocre actors. To go the distance onstage and in front
of the camera, you must be willing to go the distance within.

There is risk in the journey.

Without the risk, the journey is meaningless.

The willingness to step outside the familiar is inherently
more fulfilling.

"The purpose of our lives is to give
birth to the best which is within us."**

That's why you are an actor.

That's why you are continuously pulled back into it.

That is what separates you from the mediocre: the
determination to endure the pain of growth.

It is not by accident that you are reading this, for you
understand that the relative pain is well worth the gain.
The rewards of empowerment come after the trials.

EMPOWERMENT IS THE THRILL OF HAVING SURVIVED.
It is the thrill that propels you forward to the next step.

By the way, the trials are usually never as bad as we
anticipated, having come through them.

Although, if we knew exactly the effort
needed to achieve what it is we
most desire, we would
probably never
begin the
journey.

That's why the Dream is implanted, to overcome the fear.
It is only too sad that most people allow the Dream to become obscure.

"Without a vision the people parish."

And Vision must be followed by Action

May you be empowered to take the small steps
necessary each day to get that much closer to your
ultimate achievements. May you update your passport
with every role! May you be willing to go beyond your
previous expedition.

I hope I can help, even in some small way.

Thank you for reading -- Here's to Your Empowerment!

--Tom

Copyright © 2010 Tom Brooks and The Empowered Actor Initiative
_________________________
*"Vanished! Explorers Forever Lost" by Evan Balkan,
Menasha Ridge Press, p. xiii
**ibid, p.xii

NOTE:
I get no remuneration by mentioning this book. I reference it
because of its inherent inspirational quality.